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Hey all, just received a New Dovo as a gift, brand new out of the box, haven't even tried to shave with it but it doesn't seem to be sharp enough. I read somewhere that even the brand new straights need professional honing to be "shave ready". Just wondering if I really need to send it out or if stropping will be enough to bring it up to snuff?
Thanks!
Both Dovo and TI have made great strides in the past few years to get closer to "Shave Ready" out of the box but they can always be better...
The biggest problem comes with stropping and new guys as you tend to have a perfect storm of things that combine to defeat that first shave..
First the edge is questionable at best, second a more experienced person might be able to use a Linen/Leather strop to tweak it in but a new guy doesn't have that skill set yet...
An experienced guy probably has a pasted strop to tweak it farther and knows how to use it effectively, a new guy probably doesn't
An experienced shaver knows how to shave with a less then perfect edge, by using a perfect prep and lather, plus using a scything stoke for the most effective action, he also knows the angles and how to use short perfect strokes.. The new guys just doesn't have those skills yet ...
There is so much involved with getting everything to click together for a new shaver that they really do not need to question the edge :)
Double check as some vendors out there do hone before shipping new Dovo razors also my second question would be how did you test it to see if it was sharp enough????
Welcome aboard Andy1100. Depending on where it was purchased, it more then likely only has a factory edge on it. You should definitely send it out to be honed by someone who has the knowhow. Check the classifieds under "Member Services" and PM a member or two or three. I have had razors honed by three different members here and these gentlemen know what they're doing.
Thanks for the reply guys, that's really what I needed to know. It does have the factory edge, box was factory sealed. I tested it on my arm, and it removed hair but not as smoothly as I would have thought. I had also read I think on this forum before where someone had the same issue. I have messaged Lynn and will try to ship it out tomorrow. Eager to lather up and shave with it, but guess I'll have to wait....
Thanks again
My Dovo Bismark was shave-ready from the factory. However, many people received a non shave ready razor out of Dovo factory.
Anyway, the second post of this thread highlights the real difficulties of a beginner.
Welcome to SRP!
Exactly, and as I am new to straights, I want to make sure I'm off on the right foot. Been DE'n it for years with my grandfathers Gillette new, and have been wanting a straight for a long time. Thanks, this forum has provided a world of information.
I shaved with my first DOVO out of the box I didn't know any better and me not knowing the difference the shave was better than with any multi blade razor I had shaved with. If i had it to do over I would send it out unless you can hone yourself.
After using only vintage blades for the last couple of years and learning how to hone, I purchased a Brand New Revisor 6/8 Round Point a few months ago. I gave it a test shave and was rather pleasantly surprised! Not too shabby! I got a nice shave. Well after awhile on the stones and another test shave, What a Difference! I got an absolutely wonderful shave! The edge was so much improved!
Oh! Once the order had been placed, I was told by the factory that they were out of that model and it would be seven weeks until they ran another batch. However shortly after that I received notice that the factory had held a weekend run and I would soon have my razor. My razor was manufactured between September 17th and 18th! How cool to know exactly when your razor was made! :tu
Being fairly new to the 'straight' world i explain what happened to me with my new Dovo.
The first time i used it i thought this isn't sharp infact it was a terrible shave, i even came on this forum moaning and asking similar questions to yourself. I can now get reasonable shaves from the same razor, what i mean was it was 90% my bad technique. But, i have now purchased a properly honed Revisor and i can so tell the difference so i am going to send my Dovo away for a hone.
Hope this helps a bit, stick with it though it's a great way to shave.
Cheers MW.
Andy, just to make sure you are starting on the right foot, I suggest you send the razor out to a homemeister and have it really shave ready. Some vendors offer their razors shave-ready, and some don't, but I don't know where you purchased your razors.
thanks again for all the help, it is definately going to be shipped off to get honed, just to be sure. It was a gift, otherwise I would have purchased one from a honemeister! Still happy though, just gonna get it touched up.
Before you send it out to be honed I would give it a test shave. If it doesn't give you a nice shave, then send it out. This way you will have something to compare (ie: new razor vs. honed and shave ready). :hmmm: I bought a new dovo from Art of Shaving back in July and it is still one of my sharpest razors. Sometimes you just get lucky. I wish you many close shaves.
Excellent point, was just sitting here looking at it and thinking the same thing!
Okay, went ahead and did it. I have to say I really enjoyed that. Can't tell you how long it took, lost track of time, but it must have been at least half an hour. Honestly, I wanted to whip up more lather and keep on shaving! I do not think the razor is as sharp as it should be definitely some tugging going on, doesn't cut as well as my DE's, but damn my cheeks are smooth! Chin isn't bad, only one slight nick, but I'm definitely going to have to work on the neck. Everything seems to grow away from the adams apple, and haven't figured out how to curve this razor so I can shave my neck sideways.... but I'm hooked. I think I'm going to do some strop work and see what I can do with it, if I'm going to send it out for honing might as well screw it up good first!;) I'll probably pick up a deal on a vintage blade that I know is honed and ready to go, so I won't have to go without if I need to send this one in. Thanks again for all the input everyone, I consider it a success, I'll work on my techniques and this edge and start progressing!
Andy
I don't know where you live but if you are close to Penna PM me and I will hone your Dovo free of charge. Let me know.....................
JERRY
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hey Jerry, don't know where Penna is, and I appreciate your offer, very cool, but I do not expect anyone to provide any labor without proper compensation..
Thanks!